Why they’ll beat the Spartans
They weren’t far from doing so last year, when MSU beat the Boilermakers 14-0 with a dismal offensive effort in mid-October. The Spartans — and QB Connor Cook — were never that bad again. But it showed that the difference between a unfocused emerging contender and a motivated cellar-dweller isn’t extreme. This game has all the makings of a letdown for MSU, which will be coming off a prime-time home game against Nebraska a week earlier. Purdue also has a manageable schedule early, and could have confidence remaining when the Spartans visit.

Sophomore quarterback Danny Etling showed promise and an arm as a freshman, and Purdue’s backfield has potential, with seniors Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert, a Big Ten champion sprinter. And defensively … well, maybe Cook will revert back 12 months, if only for a day.

Why they won’t
Purdue is in for a long season. Two Big Ten wins would be an accomplishment in Year 2 for Hazell. One of them probably isn’t here. The Boilermakers’ wideouts didn’t scare anyone last season, averaging 6.1 yards per catch. And if your wideouts can’t stretch the Spartans, your ground game has little chance at consistent movement, especially behind a relatively young offensive line. Purdue’s losses on defense included its best two players, corner Ricardo Allen and tackle Bruce Gaston. And MSU is likely to look at Purdue and remember its performance a year ago. Cook especially.

Final analysis
Road games in the Big Ten should never be taken for granted. As long as the Spartans don’t, they should be fine.

About this blog

Graham Couch@Graham_CouchBorn and bred in Lansing, Graham Couch returned to his hometown in September to be the LSJ's sports columnist. He's covered Michigan State since January, after nearly a decade covering Western Michigan University and the Freeport (Ill.) Pretzels.